Store-front construction.



PATENTED MAR. 17 1908.

. J. J. BURKE.

: STORE FRONT CONSTRUCTION.

FILED 3111.15, 1907.

Wp'inwJey:

PATENTED MAR.v 1 '7, 1 908.

J- J. BURKE. .STORE FRONT CONSTRUCTION.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

APPLICATION FILED-M1115, 1907.

JOHN JAY BURKE, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

STORE-FRONT CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 17, 1908.

Application filed January 15, 1907. Serial No. 352,462.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN JAY BURKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county-of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Store-Front Construction, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in show windows, show cases, and similar structures, and particularly does it relate to corner post and transom rail constructions, having for its object the provision of a post or rail construction which will permit a ready installation of the glass; which providesa finish or trim for the post of attractive appearance; and in which convenient provision is made for the mounting of the incandescent lights commonly used in show windows, the construction of the post being such, that it may be readily wired for the lighting fixtures, and in such manner that the work of the electrician is simplified, danger from the electrical installation is entirely eliminated, and no unsightly junction boxes, conduits, sockets, and the like, are necessary.

In order that the invention may be readily understood by those skilled in the art, one embodiment of the same has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a view of a section of a show window, showing the corner post and mid rail construction. Fig. 2 is an inside view of the show window shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the post, to show the means for fastening the parts together. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig; 3, showing equivalent fastening means. Figs. 5 and 6 are cross sectional views to show the other fastening devices by means of which the parts are secured together. Fig. 7 is an inner view to show the manner in which the transom rails and corner post are secured together.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, like numbers indicating like parts in the several views, 2 indicates the body portion of the post, said post having on opposite sides angular recesses 3, which form seats for the glass plates 4, suitable strips 5 being provided by means of which the plates are clam ed in the seats 3, these strips 5 being held in the customary manner, by means of brads 6, (see Fig. 4). The rear face of the post 2 has a curved recess, as clearly shown in the sectional views, and in said recess is mounted what is termed a reinforcing strip 7, this reinforcing strip conforming to the curved recess, and being secured to the post preferably by through bolts 8 (see Fig. 5), which bolts 8 are provided with heads 9, countersunk in the reinforcing plate 7, and at their opposite ends with setting up nuts 10, which drop into recesses inthe outer face of the post 2, as clearly shown. The post thus made up, is provided on its outside with a trim 11' of polished brass or nickel, which conforms to the contour of the post and is secured thereto in such a way that it presents on its outer surface an absolutely smooth and unbroken exterior. This may be accomplished, and preferably is, by providing the said outer trim 11 with an inwardly-projecting and centrally-disposed sleeve 12, interiorly screw threaded, which sleeve 12, when the trim 11 is in position, enters a bore in the post 2, and forms the complementary or female member of a fastening device, the other member 13 of which enters from the inside of the post 2, passing through a countersunk hole in the reinforcing plate 7,.and screws into the sleeve 12, said member 13 being screw-threaded, so as to take into the interiorly screw-threaded sleeve 12, and bind the outer trim 11 securely in place, all as will be seen by inspection of Fig. 3.

The combination of parts set forth is of great value from a practical standpoint, for the reason that the fastening member 13 may be readily driven into engagement with the sleeve 12 forming the other fastening member by means of a screw driver, and the difficulty experienced in manipulating a wrench or other tool within the curved face or concavity of the reinforcing member 7 to set up and connect the fastening devices, is entirely obviated. Furthermore, the fastening member 13 drops into the countersunk hole in the reinforce, and an absolutely smooth and unobstructed wall is presented so as to give a clear conduit through which to run the leading-in wires for the lights, as will be hereinafter set forth.

Obviously, the equivalent construction shown in Fig. 4, may be used, in which the male member 14 of the fastening is secured to and projects inwardly from the outer trim 11, while the female member 15, passes through the reinforce 7 of post 2 and engages the male member of the fastening device. This construction gives a very rigid type of post, for the reinforce 7 insures an absolutely perfect condition of the post 2 and the plates 4 at all times, since it prevents warping or distortion of the post and consequent displacement of the glass and other accessories, and this result is also aided in a measure by the outer trim 11, which while of thinner metal adds rigidity to the structure, but more particularly does this trim 11 prevent the ingress of moisture and its attack on the wooden parts of the post; for it will be observed that this trim 11 incloses completely the outside of the post 2, and that there are no openings through which moisture or dust can creep, so as to decay or warp the wooden members, or, in the case of dust injure the goods in the store Window.

In order to. more surely protect the corner post, 'to make a tight structure, and in addition to this, to furnish a convenient conduit for the electric wires, the inner trim 16 is provided. Said inner trim comprises the curved metal strip, preferably conforming in its arc to the curvature of the outer trim 11, so that the finished post will in fact be a complete circle, said inner trim 16, inclosing the inside of the post 2 and the reinforce 7, and bearing on the glass plates 41 (see Fig. 6) so as to inclose and give a smooth inside finish to the post. The said inner trim 16 is secured in place, preferably, by wood screws 17, which pass through holes in the reinforce 7 and enter the post 2.

It will be seen that between the reinforce 7 and the inner trim 1 6, a substantially elliptical conduit 18 is made, which furnishes ample room for the leading-in wires of the electric lights, suitable nipples 19, threaded into the inner trim 16, being provided, to furnish con- Venient means of attachment of the incandescent lights or other connecting sockets.

In order that the wires may be completely concealed within the show window or case, the reinforce 7, is preferably provided at its end with an angular, projecting plate 20, which not only forms a convenient means of securing the post in place through the medium of attaching screws 21 (see Fig. 2) which may be screwed into the floor, wall, or ceiling, but is provided with a hole 22 through which the wires may be led into the recess formed between the reinforce 7 and the inner trim 16 very conveniently and without the necessity of making any provision, such as junction or distributing boxes or stations which will mar or disturb the finish of the window.

It will be observed that in the transom rails 23, shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the same construction has been carried out, and from this it is ap arent that the invention is applicable not on y to corner posts but also to transom rails. In making up the show case or window structure herein illustrated, it is found that the reinforcing plates of the tran som rails may be advantageously bolted to the reinforcing late 7 of the corner post, as at 24, Fig. 7, w iich construction gives great rigidity to the structure.

While there has been shown a )articular construction, it will be understoo that the embodiment of the invention herein shown, is merely for illustrative purposes and is in no sense restrictive of the invention, and no limitations as to details are to be imposed upon the invention because of this particular disclosure, except in so far as such limitations are imposed by the terms of the appended claims and the prior art, to which this invention belongs.

Having disclosed the invention, I claim 1. In a structure of the class described and in combination, a post having a longitudinal groove therein; glass-securing means therefor; an outer trim having integral inwardlyprojecting fastening members fitting within and approximately midway through openings in the post; a curved reinforce within the longitudinal groove and adapted to provide a concave channel; complementary fastening members passing through said reinforce and flush therewith and engaging said integral fastening members and adapted to bind the aforesaid parts together; an inner trim adapted to close against the inner sides of the glass and with the reinforce and form with said reinforce a closed and unobstructed conduit; and securing means on said reinforce provided with a wire-receiving passage to admit wires to said conduit.

2. In a structure of the class described and in combination, a post; a reinforce thereon; a trim over said reinforce to form therewith a conduit; and an angularly disposed securing plate on said reinforce having an opening therethrough to admit wires to said conduit.

3. In a structure of the class described and in combination, a post having a longitudinal recess; a reinforce seated therein; a trim over said reinforce to form therewith a conduit; and an angularly-disposed securing plate at the end of the reinforce having a wire-receiving opening to admit wires to the conduit.

1. In a structure of the class described and in combination, a post having a longitudinally-disposed curvedrecess; a curved reinforce seated in said recess; an oppositely curved trim over said recess and forming therewith a conduit; and a securing plate at the end of said reinforce having a wirereceiving opening to admit wires to the conduit.

5. In a structure of the class described and in combination, a post having a longitudinally-disposed curved recess; a curved reinforce seated in said recess; an oppositely In testimony whereof I have hereunto set curved trim over sald recess and forming my hand 1n presence of two subscrlbing Wit- W1th said reinforce a condult; and an angunesses.

larly-disposed filate at the end of said rein- JOHN JAY BURKE. 5 force closing t e end of the conduit; said Witnesses:

plate having an opening therethrough to G. J. SHAFFER,

admit Wires to the said conduit. I HERBERT R. HAHN. 

